When you look at this magazine cover, what do you see?
Some people see more than LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen. Some see an angry black man chasing after a sexy white woman.
The cover for this month’s Vogue has evoked a lot of negative reaction, contrary to what the fashion magazine expected. When Vogue announced the cover, it made sure to point out that James was the first black man to grace its cover. (Given that it’s 2008, I’m not sure if that’s anything to be proud of) But it turns out that the response has been anything but gracious. Some have likened the cover to “King Kong” and Fay Wray. Compare the cover and the poster.
The Associated Press reports:
In a column at ESPN.com, Jemele Hill called the cover "memorable for all the wrong reasons." But she said in an interview that the image is not unusual -- white athletes are generally portrayed smiling or laughing, while black sports figures are given a "beastly sort of vibe."For example, former NBA star Charles Barkley was depicted breaking free of neck and wrist shackles on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Dennis Rodman graced the cover of Rolling Stone with horns poking out of his forehead and his red tongue hanging out.
But others say the image show James' game face -- nothing more. And they note that Bundchen hardly looks frightened.
"James is a huge, black beautiful masculine statue and Gisele is a feminine, sexy gorgeous doll," said Christa Thomas, 36, a black account supervisor in Los Angeles.
"I didn't see any kind of racist overtone to it," she said. "I still don't. I think there is such a hypersensitivity to race still in this country."
I don’t think anyone would argue with that given the ongoing controversy surrounding Barack Obama, his pastor and the black church.
But is this a case of nitpicking or trying to nip an issue in the bud before it has a chance feister and grow into something more divisive?
Comments (2)
Hello Tanya, I heard you on Cliff Kelly show and I wanted to see the cover of Vogue thanks. there is diffinitely racism in jounalism I see it everyday as a non-racist individual it stands out. Those who are racist cant see it. It permiates this society, along with sexism. Alot of racism is from black people, and alot of sexism is from women. I dont think it is with malice or contempt I see it as victims succumbing to the violence, unwillingly have submitted to racism and sexism. Being a black woman in a non-traditional job I am well aware of racism and sexism. Most of the time when I am in uniform I am thought to be gay. Not an insult just wrong. A lot of women dont realize they are wearing mens clothing 99% of the time when on a job. All I did was go independant, so I go to the store to buy clothes for work instead of my job issuing me a unifom. Alot of the time I am in a all white enviorment or one or two blacks among ten or more whites. The white people see me as someone who does not want to be their friend,or I am a hostile individual and are very rude and tend to make my job more difficult by holding me longer than is clearly necessary, And my boss is always wondering why it takes me longer to get a job done. If they only knew the harassment I have to deal with on a daily basis. I cant complain because it is well hidden. I can't go to the eeoc and say I was put behind in line, whites were waited on first, or men were waited on first, or
black women a different shade were waited on first. Because rasism and sexism is seen as a social abnormality no one wants to say I am treating this woman like a underclass, or I am not going to let this woman take a job from a man,I just get treated very rudely. So my bills are always late my house is always a wreck, my appearance is always compromised, I never have enough money, time, or strength left to pursue happiness. Yes, I see racism in the cover of Vogue. But, more important do black or men or women or white or immigrant, see racism and sexism, or do they see racism and sexism as a American right of passage, to be racist or sexist is a means to pursue happiness. When one can see women in a soldiers uniform or a police officers uniform or working on the road improvement project what comes to mind? He got her a good job? or she has qualifications to do that job? She is trying to make me look bad! She better not mess with my man! What I dont know,I can only imagine.
Posted by Dorinda Mason | March 29, 2008 7:42 AM
Posted on March 29, 2008 07:42
LeBron James really doesn't understand now but one day he will.I wish some of these young men would get some kind of advise from a intelligent and knowledgeable Black person before they make these kinds of foolish looking appearences.Glad Tanya Francisco and Cliff Kelly of WVON put this on the air. Thank You.
Posted by MARIANNE JORDAN | March 26, 2008 11:13 PM
Posted on March 26, 2008 23:13